News Archive - December 2017

Syrian refugees set sights on Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK

Syrian refugees are now looking ahead to their applications to gain Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK after figures revealed Scotland’s refugee housing target has been met three years early.

The UK government has committed to housing a total of 20,000 people from Syria via the newly established Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement Programme. Following the original announcement, local authorities in Scotland agreed to resettling 2,000 of these refugees across the five-year scheme.

Those already supported by the scheme include a number of young children who are need of medical treatment and care, and hope to find the help they need in Scotland.

Despite this goal Scotland has rehoused more than 2,000 refugees, the equivalent of one in five of all Syrians brought to Britain, within just two years. All of these individuals and families have been granted refugee status and given leave to remain in the UK for five years without applying for further UK visas or permits.

As a result, these refugees are now in the best possible position to prepare for their application for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, which they will be able to apply for after five years living in the country.

"In 2015 I made a commitment that we would take our fair share of Syrian refugees coming to the UK and the hard work and dedication of local authorities across Scotland has meant we have more than met that pledge, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said.

"I am proud that Scotland has welcomed so many refugees fleeing persecution and war into our communities so they can rebuild their lives here."